Saturday fourth AFL Round 7 match is between Essendon Bombers and Western Bulldogs with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.40pm local time with home team Essendon Bombers currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Essendon Bombers and Western Bulldogs.
Round: Round 7, Saturday May 3, 7.40pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 14° A few showers.
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Odds Comparison:
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| Essendon Bombers | 1.33 | 1.30 | 1.28 | 1.30 | 1.33 | 1.32 |
| Western Bulldogs | 3.45 | 3.60 | 3.80 | 3.60 | 3.45 | 3.45 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
The Bombers play the Bulldogs in the other Saturday night fixture, 7.40PM at Etihad Stadium. Essendon will be expected to win this match, although it is anything but one-sided. The Bombers need to bounce back from their three match losing streak, especially after their Anzac Day loss to the Magpies last round.
While momentum might not be on their side, shear desperation and strong attacking football should get them through.
The Bulldogs have been playing pretty good footy lately, but keep losing anyway with a 2-4 record this season. Things are unlikely to get any better for them this weekend, with Essendon likely to welcome back midfielders Brendon Goddard and Heath Hocking and the Bombers No.1 this season for kicks, disposals, marks, and uncontested possessions.
Teams:
Essendon Bombers
B: Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
HB: Mark Baguley, Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey
HF: Brendon Goddard, Jake Carlisle, Jackson Merrett
F: Jason Winderlich, Joe Daniher, Paul Chapman
Fol: Patrick Ryder, Jake Melksham, Heath Hocking
I/C: Jason Ashby, David Zaharakis, Ben Howlett, Zach Merrett
Emg: Patrick Ambrose, Tom Bellchambers, Kyle Hardingham
In: Brendon Goddard, Heath Hocking
Out: Martin Gleeson (soreness), Kyle Hardingham (omitted)
Western Bulldogs
B: Liam Picken, Michael Talia, Easton Wood
HB: Shaun Higgins, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy
C: Marcus Bontempelli, Ryan Griffen, Jack Macrae
HF: Adam Cooney, Stewart Crameri, Tory Dickson
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Liam Jones, Tom Williams
Fol: Will Minson, Matthew Boyd, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Koby Stevens, Jason Johannisen, Jake Stringer, Lachie Hunter
Emg: Jason Tutt, Lin Jong, Fletcher Roberts
In: Marcus Bontempelli, Jason Johannisen, Dale Morris, Tom Williams
Out: Daniel Giansiracusa (omitted), Lin Jong (omitted), Tom Young (omitted), Tom Campbell (omitted)
News:
No one is more relieved than teammate Jake Melksham to see Heath Hocking back in the Essendon lineup.
The Bombers are on a three-game AFL losing streak and sit uncomfortably on 2-4 after six rounds.
On Saturday night at Etihad Stadium they face the hard-nosed Western Bulldogs, who are ranked second for contested possessions.
The return of Hocking and club champion Brendon Goddard are causes for celebration for Essendon.
“BJ (Goddard) has that versatility where he can go back or forward,” Melksham told reporters on Friday.
“We’ve got Heath Hocking back who plays that really sacrificial role.
“So they are two bigger, experienced, stronger bodies who will boost our midfield.
“Heath is our tagger. I had to tag last week so I’m not sure if I’ll be tagging this week.
“It might make my job a little bit easier.
“I’ve experienced it first-hand, having to tag when he’s out of the team.
“The work that he does and the opponents that he comes up against are A-grade opponents. He’s very highly rated in our footy side.”
The Bulldogs are also on a 2-4 record and will be looking to ex-Bomber Stewart Crameri to continue his solid form.
Essendon’s three-time leading goalkicker has booted 14 majors for the Bulldogs.
Melksham dined with Crameri on Tuesday.
“He’s chosen to leave the footy club and we’re looking forward to playing him,” Melksham said.
“He was more worried about who is going to play on him. He is a tough match-up.”
Melksham says it’s a huge game for Essendon.
“The first six weeks were pretty tough for us and we’ve got that behind us,” he said.
“It’s a must-win. We need to get back up into the top eight.
“We want to be in the top four to be a contender in the finals.
“Our hard work really has to start from this week.”
Melksham says Jake Carlisle, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year as a key defender but has struggled as a key forward in 2014 with three goals in six games, is showing signs of improvement.
“We just try to get him the ball as much as we can on the field. Our delivery hasn’t been great,” Melksham said.
“Around the club we’re just trying to get his confidence up.”
Former All-Australian defender Dale Morris returns for the Bulldogs, while Daniel Giansiracusa is one of four omissions.